SanDisk Also Expands its Scholars Program to China and Japan

Milpitas, Calif., March 26, 2014 – SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK), a global leader in flash storage solutions, today announced the recipients of the 2013-2014 SanDisk Scholars Program. Over $1 million in scholarships and grants were awarded to nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate university students in the United States to support their pursuit of degrees in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) discipline. SanDisk also announced it is expanding the program to China and Japan to students pursuing STEM-related studies.

The SanDisk Scholars Program grants scholarships to students based upon their prior academic achievements and meaningful levels of community engagement, as well as financial need. Of the $1.5 million committed for 2013-2014, scholarships have been awarded to undergraduate and graduate students attending 28 universities across 12 states including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles and University of Southern California.

“SanDisk’s generous support offers Cal students pursuing a STEM-related degree critical resources to fulfill their academic goals, which may have otherwise not been possible,” said S. Shankar Sastry, Dean of the College of Engineering and Roy W. Carlson Professor, University of California, Berkeley. “STEM-related studies are a key element of UC Berkeley’s leading curriculum, and the SanDisk Scholars Program further enables us to offer these important fields of study to the innovators of tomorrow.”

“The education our students receive prepares them to solve some of the most pressing engineering challenges in the world,” said Dr. James D. Plummer, Dean of the School of Engineering at Stanford University. “Our ability to offer graduate fellowship packages is one of the things that helps us attract these top students to Stanford University, and we’re very grateful for SanDisk’s support and commitment to our efforts.”

“SanDisk is passionate about helping the next generation of technology leaders pursue their dreams in STEM-related careers,” said Sanjay Mehrotra, president and chief executive officer, SanDisk. “Not only does our support better position them for future success, but it also helps foster a greater pool of qualified talent, which will benefit the technology industry in years to come.”

Expanding the SanDisk Scholars Program to China and Japan
In addition to continuing to provide scholarships to students pursuing STEM-related studies in the U.S., SanDisk is expanding the program to China and Japan in 2014. Thirty scholarships will be awarded in each country to students participating in engineering and computer science programs at the following universities:

• China:
  • Shanghai Jiaotong University
  • Xidian University
  • Zhejiang University

• Japan:
  • Nagoya University
  • Tohoku University
  • University of Tokyo

For more information on the SanDisk Scholars Fund or to submit an application for 2014, visit:
http://www.sandisk.com/about-sandisk/corporate-responsibility/community/scholars-program/

Statements from Select 2013-2014 SanDisk Scholars in the U.S.: 
“Receiving a scholarship from SanDisk will allow me to pursue a Master of Science degree from one of the best programs in the country,” said Chris Almodovar, student at Stanford University. “With this scholarship, I am able to explore my research interests within mechanical engineering and focus on acquiring the right skills that will help me make a difference in the world one day. Thank you!”

“I am a materials science and engineering major, with an interest in becoming a doctor,” said Grace Tuyiringire, student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Thank you, SanDisk, for this opportunity. With this scholarship, I will be able to focus on my goal of becoming a MD and a bigger leader in the MIT community.”

“It is an honor to be acknowledged for my efforts by a company like SanDisk,” said Claire Lochner, student at the University of California, Berkeley. “I’m currently working on a research project that aims to bring real-time physical health visibility through something as simple as a Band-Aid. I’m excited about my work and how it could potentially improve many lives.”

About the SanDisk Foundation: 
SanDisk’s mission as a philanthropic company is to support programs and organizations that address the needs of communities where our company has a significant presence. SanDisk strives to be an exemplary corporate citizen within the global community. The SanDisk Foundation, a corporate advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, helps carry out this mission by making donations to non-profit organizations and community groups within our key focus areas: K-12 education, promoting STEM-focused programs, and children’s health and well-being. Since 2003, the SanDisk Foundation has awarded more than $25 million to almost 1,000 charitable organizations worldwide.

The SanDisk Scholars Program, created in 2012, utilizes a $1.5 million annual budget to award scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing education and university research in STEM fields.

About SanDisk
SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, is a global leader in flash storage solutions. For more than 25 years, SanDisk has expanded the possibilities of storage, providing trusted and innovative products that have transformed the electronics industry. Today, SanDisk’s quality, state-of-the-art solutions are at the heart of many of the world’s largest data centers, and embedded in advanced smart phones, tablets and PCs. SanDisk’s consumer products are available at hundreds of thousands of retail stores worldwide. For more information, visit www.sandisk.com.

© 2014 SanDisk Corporation. All rights reserved. SanDisk and the SanDisk logo are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s).

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Media Contact:
Lee Garvin Flanagin
SanDisk Corporation
408-801-2463
lee.flanagin@sandisk.com

Motorola Launches Exclusive, Customized Design Options for College Sports Fans

This season, Motorola is raising its game with the newly released College Collection, a range of college-inspired Moto X customization options that allow you to showcase your favorite school colors on your smartphone. Choose from colors, accents, wallpapers and accessories to display your team pride like never before.

Moto X is the first fully customizable smartphone powered by Android. With Moto Maker, Motorola’s online design studio, it’s easy to express yourself and your style through your phone. And now, with the College Collection, Moto X can express your team spirit to create ultimate fan smartphone.

Fans can visit the College Collection design gallery and select from pre-configured school color combinations and clear cases with school logos and team names for up to 40 schools and counting. Don’t see your favorite team? Mix and match with the new color palette to create your perfect combination. And, with the custom signature feature, you can even include your school’s rally cry on the back.

A custom Moto X from the College Collection is available starting at the everyday price of $399 off-contract or $49 with a new two year contract. Currently in college? Motorola will sweeten the deal with a student discount. Register at Motorola.com/college with a valid .edu address and you can get an off-contract Moto X for the discounted price of $339.

The College Collection is just one of the many ways to get customization inspiration for your Moto X. For more information and to browse the new design gallery on Motorola’s online design studio, please visit Motorola.com/college.

Media Contact
David Weil
Weber Shandwick
(312) 988-2107
DWeil@webershandwick.com

The initiative is fueled by The North Face and will invest in the best ideas driven by colleges and universities that activate a new generation of outdoor champions.

(Washington DC) – Outdoor Nation, the signature program of the Outdoor Foundation, in partnership with The North Face, is launching the first-ever Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge — working with colleges and universities across America to get more young people outside and active. For the next month, Outdoor Nation and The North Face are on the search for the top schools with the best ideas of how to inspire students to recreate outdoors. In May, the top ten colleges will be announced and awarded a grant and additional resources to activate on their ideas during the fall 2014 semester.

“College students are among the most creative, innovative and influential group of people in our country today,” said Chris Fanning executive director of the Outdoor Foundation. “Over the past several years, these young leaders have emerged as the drivers behind Outdoor Nation and the Campus Challenge builds on our investment in these change makers and thought leaders. If we are truly going to inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts – the ideas and energy must come from them.”

Capitalizing on school spirit and traditional rivalries, the Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge will culminate with one national “Outdoor Nation Campus Champion” – the school that inspires the most number of people – students, alumni and the local community – to recreate outdoors. The winning school will have priceless bragging rights among its peers as well as earn a valuable prize package including a scholarship for an outdoor program assistant, custom gear library, and a major outdoor festival for all students.

“We are extremely proud to be a founding partner of this groundbreaking initiative, bringing young leaders together to share their passion for the outdoors and ultimately find better ways to connect people and nature,” said Ann Krcik, director of Outdoor Exploration at The North Face. “There is no better way to address the issue of getting more people outside than to learn from the brightest minds of the next generation for a fresh perspective and new solutions.”

Outdoor Nation has also teamed up with NIRSA, the leading membership association for students and professionals working in campus recreation, to promote the Campus Challenge to its network of 650+ institutional member schools. “NIRSA is committed to inspiring healthy people and healthy communities,” explains NIRSA Executive Director Pam Watts. “Outdoor recreation is among the fastest growing areas of campus recreation and we are excited to partner with Outdoor Nation to promote the inaugural Campus Challenge and encourage active lifestyle choices on campuses across the United States.”

An individual achievement award, ‘Outsider of the Year’, will also be given to the student that inspires the most people to get outdoors — earning a year’s worth of outdoor gear, an internship with the Outdoor Foundation and an outdoor trip of a lifetime.

Perhaps more important than the grand prize, the Challenge will provide ongoing incentives and rewards for overall participation regardless of leader board status – giving the opportunity to earn gear for simply participating and reaching their goals. Schools and individuals that surpass a specific outdoor hour goal will get rewarded and advance to the next level that will include a higher outdoor hour goal with rewards.

A powerful online platform will track progress, recognize school and individual leaders and reward participation. The national champion will be recognized at the end of the semester – earning valuable bragging rights and other great prizes. If you are interested in supporting the Campus Challenge or getting involved as a student or university, contact Chris Fanning at cfanning@outdorfoundation.org for more information or visit the Campus Challenge Application here: http://outdoornation.org/grants

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About the Outdoor Foundation
The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Through groundbreaking research, action oriented outreach, and education programs, the Foundation works with partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. In 2010, the Foundation launched Outdoor Nation, a pioneering initiative that aims to empower young leaders to champion the outdoors on campuses and in communities across the United States. For more information visit: OutdoorFoundation.org and OutdoorNation.org.

To take part in the Spring Break Men’s Basketball Tournament Bracket Challenge, college students can sign up at FreezeCrowd.com for a chance stand to win $500 for the best bracket and $1,000 for a perfect bracket.

New York, New York (March 16, 2014) – FreezeCrowd.com, the social network for students and alumni with over 3,000 colleges and universities throughout the world added, has announced it is launching the ‘FreezeCrowd.com Spring Break College Basketball Bracket Challenge’ wherein all FreezeCrowd members stand the chance of winning $500 for the best bracket and $1,000 for the perfect bracket.

FreezeCrowd.com is the leading social networking platform for college / university students and alumni as it connects people in a selfie group or team photo. It is easy and free to sign up to, as all that is needed is the student’s school email. FreezeCrowd.com has organized the Spring Break Bracket Challenge for the Men’s Division 1 Basketball Tournament, Whereby the tournament bracket will be up on FreezeCrowd in the evening on Sunday, March 16th 2014.

“I am very excited about this college basketball spring break tournament, and I think that if any college student wins the $500 or gets a perfect bracket for $1,000, they’ll cover their textbooks or can even buy something great for themselves to enjoy,” said Eric Leebow, Founder & CEO of FreezeCrowd.com. “The odds of winning really does depend on how many college and university students fill out their bracket. If you’re the only one who fills it out, you’ll win! This Bracket Challenge is especially good for students who are undertaking statistics classes as there’s a fair amount of stats involved in the game of basketball.” “If you get your whole college group together, you may even figure out a way to beat the odds with your club or team on campus.”

For more information on FreezeCrowd.com and to take part in the Spring Break College Basketball Bracket Challenge, watch the video

Checkout the FreezeCrowd LinkedIn and Twitter pages http://www.linkedin.com/company/354066 and http://www.twitter.com/freezecrowd and join to break the ice on FreezeCrowd at:http://www.freezecrowd.com

Press Contact
Eric Leebow
216-359-1156
eric@freezecrowd.com
www.freezecrowd.com

Three college brands join forces to offer Fraternities & Sororities $250,000 in cash and prizes

SAN FRANCISCO – Three collegiate brands, QUAD, JusCollege and The Social Life have formed a partnership to launch a Greek Championship contest for students across the nation, set to begin on April 2 and run through May 31. Pre-registration has already begun in the search for the “most epic” Greek chapters in the nation, offering over $250,000 in prizes.

“Greeks are super influencers on campus and are well respected by other students,” says Andrew Citores, CEO of JusCollege, “The Greek Championships will celebrate the Greeks and provide them with unique opportunities to interact with brands that understand them.”

Prizes include: A trip to EDC Las Vegas for 25 chapter members; a total of $25,000 cash to plan a chapter formal; a party bus available for an entire semester; several additional surprises that will be announced at the start of the competition through the Greek Championship website.

To compete, Greek chapters must complete the pre-entry form by the April 1 deadline. Voting will run through the free college group messaging app, QUAD, and will not discriminate against chapters based on the number of active members. To earn points, Greek chapters must use QUAD daily, chatting in Topics, creating events and completing weekly missions. For each consecutive day that a group uses QUAD, the group points will multiply.

To earn the most points, chapters will need high participation percentages. “We have created an algorithm that makes it fair game for a group of 20 compared to a group for 350 people,” says Matthew Murphy, CEO of QUAD, “It’s based off percentages, so you will want the most people in your group to actively participate.”

The competition has received a number of pre-entry forms thus far and is expecting a competitive growth in the coming weeks.

About the brands:
Quad is the first large group messaging app that lets up to 500 people communicate, plan and get things done without the inbox clutter of email group lists. Quad is quickly catching on as the go-to-messaging app for college groups and clubs, and is used at over 4,250 of the 4,500 colleges in the nation. Designed by Appsurdity to mobilize college groups, clubs and Greek organizations, Quad is available for Apple and Android devices. Appsurdity is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit www.quadapp.com or www.appsurdity.com.

JusCollege is the easiest way for students to plan, organize and book awesome travel and entertainment experiences. Founded in 2010, JusCollege has grown to more than 100,000 customers at 100 campuses throughout the U.S. with a laser focus on serving customers and a highly-principled approach to business.

TheSocialLife specializes in producing custom apparel for Greek Life. TSL serves fraternities and sororities across the nation, providing them with Greek gear for all Greek events.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Matthew Murphy
Appsurdity
(650) 762-8877
matt@appsurdity.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 19, 2014

ADDRESSING STUDENT DEBT CRISIS, NEW WEB TOOL HELPS STUDENTS BETTER PLAN THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURES 

The Council of Graduate Schools and TIAA-CREF Collaborate to Deliver GradSense Website   to Help Students Make Informed Financial Decisions about Their Education and Careers

Washington, D.C. – The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), a nonprofit organization devoted to graduate education and research, today launched GradSense, a novel online tool designed to help students plan financially for their education and future careers.

With student debt at historically high levels, students have a limited number of resources for assessing the investment they will be making in an advanced degree. To fill this knowledge gap, CGS collaborated with leading financial services provider TIAA-CREF to design and develop GradSense, which features a Debt to Salary calculator, among other tools.

In developing GradSense, CGS researchers brought together two important pieces of information for the first time –federal data on education debt and federal data on median salaries for specific occupations. While this information is available, it is not easily accessible. Students must sift through these datasets using separate databases, which obscures the relationship between investing in a specific degree to pursue a desired profession. To help students make more informed career decisions, GradSense combines these two pieces of information in a simple-to-use tool, providing students with one screen of data that allows them to more accurately align their choice of degree and field of study with their desired career.

Using GradSense, students enter their degree type, desired field of study and preferred career. The student is then shown the median debt of students pursuing their specific degree, along with the starting, median and expert salary levels expected in their desired career. Together, these two informative data sets can help students better understand the impact of their chosen degree on future earnings.

GradSense is part of the Enhancing Student Financial Education project, an initiative of CGS in collaboration with TIAA-CREF.  The program has awarded grants to 15 colleges and universities across the country to develop innovative financial literacy programs that teach students about successful strategies for borrowing, lending and managing personal finances. Lessons and data from each of the 15 university programs and many of the 19 affiliate universities will inform the development of new financial education resources for students nationwide.

“The best practices developed through this program – and the GradSense tool – can help prepare our nation’s students for lifelong financial well-being,” said Laura Levine, president and CEO of Jump$tart Coalition. “I applaud the commitment of CGS, TIAA-CREF and the participating universities.”

The GradSense website also includes a compound interest calculator that shows students the long-term impact of common spending decisions, advice for repaying student loans, guidance on transitioning from graduate school to a career and tips for evaluating and negotiating job offers.

“GradSense provides students with crucial financial information that was never easily accessible or available before,” said Debra W. Stewart, president of CGS. “This clear, customized tool empowers students to make more informed decisions about their educational and career pathways.”

“We are extremely proud of our collaboration with the Council of Graduate Schools, and especially pleased to see tangible results and useful tools already emerging from this program,” said Roger W. Ferguson, president and CEO of TIAA-CREF. “This underscores the combined strengths the business and education sectors bring to bear on addressing the student loan debt issue, and when working together, the valuable impact we can have on the financial futures of our nation’s students.”

In addition to the GradSense website, the tool will also be featured on the websites of universities participating in the Enhancing Student Financial Education program, as well as the websites of other CGS member schools. To use GradSense, visit: www.gradsense.org.

Contacts:
Julia Kent, CGS: (202) 223-3791 / jkent@cgs.nche.edu
John McCool, TIAA-CREF: (888) 200-4062 / media@tiaa-cref.org

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About GradSense
GradSense is a unique online education platform that provides students with important financial information about the value of pursuing an advanced degree. Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Science Foundation and the National Center for Education Statistics, GradSense was researched, designed and developed by CGS in collaboration with TIAA-CREF. Along with median debt and income data, the GradSense website also provides students with loan repayment advice, spending tips, and career guidance. For more information and updates about GradSense, like it on Facebook and follow it on Twitter: @GradSense.

About CGS
The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is an organization of over 500 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada engaged in graduate education, research, and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees. Among U.S. institutions, CGS members award 92% of the doctoral degrees and 78% of the master’s degrees.* The organization’s mission is to improve and advance graduate education, which it accomplishes through advocacy in the federal policy arena, research, and the development and dissemination of best practices.

*Based on data from the 2012 CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment and Degrees

About TIAA-CREF
TIAA-CREF (www.tiaa-cref.org) is a national financial services organization with $564 billion in assets under management (as of 12/31/13) and is the leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields.

TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC and Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc., members FINRA, distribute securities products.

C15005

~Argo Tea provides unique and nutritious on-the-go options for college students as Millennials challenge traditional cafeteria dining~

Chicago, IL – February 12, 2014 –Today’s Millennials offer an interesting challenge to colleges. They want diversity and authenticity and wear their social conscience on their sleeves. Argo Tea, the largest tea-café chain in the world, has learned that when it comes to food, Millennials are health conscious−demanding natural and fresh−and yet prone to fits of decadence, all the while expecting convenience. Recognizing the college experience triggers changing food and beverage preferences among people ages 18-24* and the eating habits formed influence healthy food choices later in life, Argo Tea is quickly becoming a student favorite at colleges and universities across the country as the tea café’s menu reflects what students want.

“At Argo Tea, we deliver all-natural, real ingredients and smart calories,” said founder and CEO of Argo Tea, Arsen Avakian. “We provide students with great-tasting options that will fuel their bodies and minds with ingredients that will keep them healthy and happy.”

From unique signature beverages like Green Tea Ginger Twist to White Tea Acai Squeeze, Argo Tea sources the best ingredients from around the world to create drinks that taste good and are good for you. Students also benefit from Argo Tea’s wide selection of raw, vegan, and gluten-free foods that are baked and prepared in-store daily.

Argo Tea already has ten college campus area cafés with more scheduled to open in the near future. Current campus locations include New York University, Northeastern University, Saint Louis University, Grand Valley State University, University of North Carolina at Asheville, and Buffalo State, which opened just last week.

“The Buffalo State community is excited about the opening of the new Argo Tea Café in the Butler Library,” said Timothy Ecklund, associate vice president, student affairs at Buffalo State. “This initiative will put the campus in line with the new trend in tea as a preferred beverage by college students and also bring Argo’s new healthy food offerings to the campus.”

Argo Tea now operates 32 cafés in the U.S. and internationally, with more than 15 locations scheduled to open in the next 12 months. Customers can also find Argo Tea’s most popular beverages in ready-to-drink bottles at more than 10,000 retailers across the country, including Walgreens and Whole Foods.

About Argo Tea
Argo Tea, Inc. is a Chicago-based food and beverage company responsible for creating custom tea experiences. We focus on six key pillars: CommuniTEA, DiversiTEA, SustainabiliTEA, ChariTEA, QualiTEA and CreativiTEA. We are passionate about bringing teas directly from growers around the world, and blending them into unique and delicious signature beverages and teas. We are committed to sustainability by working with the best local and global tea, coffee, and food artisans, and by contributing back to our communities to promote a healthy lifestyle and the conservation of natural resources. We are dedicated to delivering consistent quality, combining all-natural, real ingredients and sharing a genuine customer experience “one customer and one cup at a time.” Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, we now have retail partners across the world, and coming soon to a location near you. Our products are available for distribution in more than 10,000 premier retailers, including foodservice, retail, and hospitality companies in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more at www.argotea.com.

Media Contact:
Rory Swikle
Ogilvy Public Relations
rory.swikle@ogilvy.com
312-397-6021

*The Hartman Group; Outlook on the Millennial Consumer study 2011

Private health insurance exchange lets students shop, compare and purchase plans. Universities can launch integrated exchange to provide students with choices and guidance.

ROSEMONT, Ill. – February 3, 2014 – Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (Flex) today announced that the InsureXSolutions® private health insurance exchange is helping college students in Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana and New Mexico find coverage before the Affordable Care Act (ACA) penalties go into effect on April 1. The web-based insurance marketplace is available to individual students and their families, as well as universities and colleges that want to provide their students with an online platform where they can shop, compare and enroll in health plans.

According to the ACA, students can remain on their parent’s health coverage until age 26, but many students will not have this option. A 2012 study by the National Student Clearinghouse found that more than one third of students are 25 years of age or older and 54% of students age 25 to 29 study full-time, making it unlikely that they will receive insurance coverage from an employer.

Like families and working individuals, students will have to pay ACA penalties if they do not obtain health coverage by March 31, 2014. Any individual or family that fails to get insurance will have to pay $95 per adult and $47.50 per child or 1 percent of income—whichever is greater. This fee will climb to $695 per adult and $347.50 per child or 2.5 percent of family income in 2016.

“Students entering 2014 without health insurance face a lot of uncertainty,” said John DiVito, President of Flex. “It’s been reported that some universities have discontinued student health plans that are not ACA-compliant or have raised prices. In many cases, college health plans and ‘catastrophic’ coverage plans simply do not provide adequate coverage for students. Instead of feeling trapped, we believe students should have choices and resources, and that’s what we provide through InsureXSolutions.”

InsureXSolutions offers students a wealth of resources for finding affordable coverage. The InsureXSolutions Plan Finder takes into account annual doctor visits, prescription medications, budget considerations and other factors to recommend personalized plans. Users can then refine their selection by insurance company, monthly premium, deductible, coinsurance, HSA eligibility and plan type, or they can select plans and compare them side by side in a simple and informative interface.

The private exchange also features educational resources like shopgetcovered.com, the exchangebuzz health care blog, Health Law 101 and other materials that can help students navigate the complexities of the ACA and insurance. Students can even call InsureXSolutions to speak directly with a licensed insurance professional.

Rather than offering a single college health plan or referring students to government marketplaces, universities can also launch their own private exchange with InsureXSolutions. The integrated student insurance exchange allows educational institutions to connect students with a wide range of choices without incurring high costs or administrative burdens. InsureXSolutions features a large variety of plans from leading providers of health and dental insurance.

Today, the number of uninsured students in the United States is unclear. A 2013 report by the Commonwealth Fund, however, found that nearly one third of young adults who graduated from or left college were uninsured or lost their health insurance.

“Not all students are ‘invincible,’” said DiVito. “Some have chronic health issues, some have families to care for and many participate in athletics. Avoiding penalties is important, but helping students find plans that fit their lifestyle and personal needs is our highest priority.”

To learn more about InsureXSolutions, visit www.insurexsolutions.com

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About Flexible Benefit Service Corporation 
Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (Flex) is a leader in the health insurance and benefits administration marketplace. Since 1988, Flex has continuously offered cost-effective health care solutions for producers, employers, employees and individuals. Through their consumer-driven strategies, tax-advantaged programs and insurance offerings, Flex serves as a full service general agency and benefits administrator. The comprehensive Flex product portfolio includes flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), transit/parking reimbursement accounts (TRAs), COBRA administration and more. Flex also blends its in-house expertise from both divisions to offer a private insurance exchange showcasing integrated resources and innovative technology. Flex is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and maintains an A+ rating. Learn more at www.flexiblebenefit.com.

Media Contact
Nick Severino, Director of Marketing
Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (Flex)
888-353-9178 | nseverino@flexiblebenefit.com

FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY, USA — January 23, 2014 — U.S. students pursuing a degree in engineering are urged to apply to the 2014 ASCO Numatics Industrial Automation Engineering Scholarship program, sponsored by ASCO Numatics, the world’s leading manufacturer of comprehensive fluid automation, flow control, and pneumatics solutions.

ASCO Numatics will award two $5,000 scholarships to U.S. engineering students, provide $1,000 grants to their college’s engineering departments, and host the students at “The Amazing Packaging Race” at PACK EXPO International in Chicago in November.

The application period begins on January 23, 2014. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2014. Details and forms are available at: www.asconumatics.com/scholarship.

“The ASCO Numatics Scholarship program provides talented U.S. students with the financial support they need to pursue their education, enhance their skills, and position them for a successful career in engineering,” said Robert W. Kemple, Jr., executive vice president, sales and marketing – Americas, ASCO Numatics.

“Over the past 7 years, ASCO Numatics has awarded $60,000 in scholarships to 12 students based on their potential for leadership and for making a significant contribution to the industrial automation engineering profession. In addition, we have provided another $12,000 in grants to 10 U.S. schools of engineering,” he noted.

William (Daniel) Whitten, of Tulsa, Okla., a recipient of a 2013 scholarship and now a senior at Texas A&M University in College Station, said, “The ASCO Numatics scholarship provided a valuable source of funding that is helping me pay for my education and pursue opportunities I might not have otherwise been able to afford. Winning the award also encouraged me to continue seeking excellence in the engineering discipline through leadership and innovation. In addition, traveling to Las Vegas and attending the Pack Expo gave me an extremely memorable and unique perspective on the automation industry.”

Meghan Borz, of Buena, N.J., a recipient of a 2013 scholarship, said, “The generous scholarship from ASCO Numatics helped me pay for my tuition and receive my degree in mechanical engineering from Rowan University (Glassboro, N.J.). I have been able to focus more time on my coursework, athletics, applying to graduate schools, and applying for future career opportunities because I did not have the financial stress I had in previous semesters. The scholarship has enabled me to pursue my academic and career aspirations.”

The ASCO Numatics scholarship is merit-based and will be awarded on the candidate’s potential for leadership and for making a significant contribution to the industrial automation engineering profession, particularly as it relates to the application of fluid control and fluid power technologies. A panel of ASCO Numatics executives and independent judges will select the finalists.

Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program in an instrumentation, systems, electrical, mechanical, or automation engineering discipline at an accredited U.S. educational institution for the 2014/2015 academic year. Candidates must also maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, and be a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2014. Details and forms are available at www.asconumatics.com/scholarship.

ASCO Numatics will award the scholarships at “The Amazing Packaging Race” at PACK EXPO International, to take place in Chicago from November 2-5, 2014. The race, sponsored by ASCO Numatics, is a fun and educational event that pits teams of packaging students, from programs around the country, against each other in a race to gather points by completing tasks at specific PACK EXPO booths.

About ASCO Numatics
ASCO Numatics, a division of Emerson, offers comprehensive fluid automation solutions, including fluid control and fluid power products, for a wide range of industry-focused applications. The ASCO Numatics product line in North America consists of more than 50,000 valves, an extensive selection of air preparation equipment, and a full line of actuation products. ASCO products include solenoid pilot valves, angle body piston valves, linear indicators, redundant control systems, and pressure sensors. The Numatics line covers valve manifolds, cylinders, grippers, filters, regulators, and lubricators. For more information about ASCO Numatics products, visit www.asconumatics.com.

About Emerson
Emerson www.Emerson.com is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets around the world. The company is comprised of five business segments: Process Management, Industrial Automation, Network Power, Climate Technologies, and Commercial & Residential Solutions. Sales in fiscal 2013 were $24.7 billion. Emerson Industrial Automation www.EmersonIndustrial.com, a business of Emerson, provides automation and power generation technologies and services to a wide range of industries. With its global capabilities and deep industry expertise, Emerson Industrial Automation is a trusted partner for products and solutions that increase machine performance, efficiency, reliability, and availability. Its industry-leading brands include Appleton®, ASCO®, Branson®, Browning®, Control Techniques, Kop-Flex®, Leroy-Somer®, McGill®, Morse®, Numatics& reg;, O-Z/Gedney, Rollway®, SealMaster®, and System Plast™.

Note to Editors – Press contacts:
* Don Goncalves, 781-793-9380, dgoncalves@tizinc.com
* Kristen Walker, ASCO Numatics, 973-966-2372, kristen.walker@emerson.com

McLean, Va. (Jan. 16, 2014) – Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) is proud to announce the launch of an ambitious new program aimed at providing students with food allergies a safer college experience by helping colleges and universities develop uniform policies to effectively manage food allergy, a potentially life-threatening disease.

The FARE College Food Allergy Program will address all aspects of college life with food allergies including dining services, resident life and social well-being, health services, disability accommodations and emergency services. FARE has partnered with several leading experts for the program, including the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA), the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS), food allergy experts, college and university representatives, and industry representatives.

“Food allergy is a serious and growing public health issue, and colleges are beginning to realize the importance of ensuring their students with food allergies are safe and included in all aspects of campus life,” said John L. Lehr, chief executive officer of FARE. “We are proud to be working with NFCA, NACUFS and experts and colleges from around the country to develop comprehensive guidelines for managing food allergies in the college setting and resources to help schools implement these guidelines so they can better serve students managing this life-threatening disease.”

In 2014, the FARE College Food Allergy Program will focus on convening experts and stakeholders to create comprehensive guidelines and develop resources such as trainings for dining services and resident advisors, educational materials for existing and prospective students and their families, and guides for creating campus social groups. FARE will also be securing university partners to implement the recommendations as part of a pilot phase.

“Working with FARE and NACUFS to address the needs of special diets students is a top priority that our organizations share,” said Beckee Moreland, Director of Gluten-Free Industry Initiatives for NFCA. “Together we are committed to ensuring that our children will be able to choose a college on the merits of the academic program instead of whether or not they will be safe in the dining hall.”

The Program kicks off today with its first College Summit, which is being held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. and will focus on dining services. The summit, which is being held in conjunction with Premier REACH, will welcome representatives from 30 colleges and universities, in addition to the Program’s partners and experts. Additional colleges and universities are expected to participate in future meetings. Schools with representatives at this first summit include:

• California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, Calif.)
• Colorado State University (Fort Collins, Colo.)
• Dartmouth College (Hanover, N.H.)
• Davidson College (Davidson, N.C.)
• Duke University (Durham, N.C.)
• Ferrum College (Ferrum, Va.)
• Georgia Southern University (Statesboro, Ga.)
• Hendrix College (Conway, Ark.)
• Lynchburg College (Lynchburg, Va.)
• North Carolina State University (Raleigh, N.C.)
• Princeton University (Princeton, N.J.)
• San Diego State University (San Diego, Calif.)
• Shepherd University (Shepherdstown, W.Va.)
• Stanford University (Stanford, Calif.)
• University of Akron (Akron, Ohio)
• University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, Colo.)
• University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, Ill.)
• University of Kansas (Lawrence, Kan.)
• University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
• University of Missouri (Columbia, Mo.)
• University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, Colo.)
• University of Richmond (Richmond, Va.)
• Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, Ind.)
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, Va.)
• Washington and Lee University (Lexington, Va.)
• Williams College (Williamstown, Mass.)
• Yale University (New Haven, Conn.)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1997 and 2011, the number of children in the U.S. under age 18 with food allergies increased by 50 percent. This dramatic increase illustrates the need for widespread adoption of college food allergy management policies.

For more information about the FARE College Food Allergy Program, visit www.foodallergy.org/collegeprogram.

ABOUT FARE
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) works on behalf of the 15 million Americans with food allergies, including all those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis. This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children in the U.S. – or roughly two in every classroom. Formed in 2012 as a result of a merger between the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network and the Food Allergy Initiative, FARE’s mission is to ensure the safety and inclusion of individuals with food allergies while relentlessly seeking a cure. We do this by providing evidence-based education and resources, undertaking advocacy at all levels of government, increasing awareness of food allergy as a serious public health issue and investing in world-class research that advances treatment and understanding of food allergies. For more information, please visit www.foodallergy.org and find us on Twitter (@FoodAllergy), Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.

ABOUT NFCA
The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that drives diagnoses of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders and improves quality of life for those on a lifelong gluten-free diet. NFCA owns and operates GREAT Kitchens TM, a web-based gluten-free training program for foodservice professionals. Learn more at www.CeliacCentral.org/GREAT.

MEDIA CONTACT
Nancy Gregory
571-209-0288
ngregory@foodallergy.org

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